Continuous roll baling machine

Description

[0001] This invention relates generally to the type of roll baling machine that is capable of continuously forming roll bales of crop material while moving across a field without stopping to discharge such bales.

[0002] An example of this type of roll baling machine is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,035,999, assigned to the same assignee as the present application. The disclosed machine includes a lower apron and a pair of upper aprons. The upper aprons cooperate with the lower apron to define front and rear bale forming chambers. While a completed roll bale is being wrapped with twine and discharged from the rear chamber, another bale is started in the front chamber. When the bale started in the front chamber reaches a predetermined size, it is transferred to the rear chamber where it is completed. This provides for continuous baling operation of the machine.

[0003] A drawback of the machine disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,035,999 is that the distance a bale is transferred from the front chamber to the rear chamber is too great. This often results in damage to the bale during its transfer from the front to the rear chamber.

[0004] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a greatly improved continuous roll baling machine of the type having first and second bale forming chambers, wherein, during operation, a bale under formation is transferred smoothly from the first chamber to the second chamber without suffering from any adverse effects during said transfer.

[0005] According to the invention, a continuous roll baling machine is provided which comprises bale forming means defining spaced apart first and second bale forming chambers;

[0006] said bale forming means including endless lower bale forming conveyor means, a first endless upper bale forming apron means and further endless upper bale forming conveyor means separate from said lower conveyor means and said apron means;

[0007] said first apron means cooperating with the lower bale forming conveyor means to generally delimit the first bale forming chamber and

[0008] said bale forming means being operable to initially form a roll of crop material to a first diameter in the first chamber; to subsequently transfer said roll from the first chamber to the second chamber and to thereafter complete the formation of a roll bale in the second chamber to a second diameter greater than the first diameter;

[0009] this roll baling machine being characterized in that:

the first endless upper bale forming apron means has a course which generally faces the further upper bale forming conveyor means and which cooperates therewith to substantially define the second bale forming chamber therebetween.

[0010] Preferably, the further endless upper bale forming conveyor means is in the form of a second endless upper bale forming apron means and the lower bale forming conveyor means comprises a third endless apron means.

[0011] The baling machine subject of the invention further also comprises a base frame and a movable frame pivotally connected to the base frame for movement between a closed, bale forming position and an open, bale discharge position. The first and second upper bale forming apron means preferably are in the form of expandable endless apron means. The first upper apron means is movably supported, at least in part, on the base frame while that, in contrast therewith, the second upper apron means is movably supported, at least in part, on the movable frame. The third endless apron means is movably mounted on the base frame.

[0012] Advantageously, the first and second bale forming chambers, when in the empty condition, are generally triangular in shape, with the first bale forming chamber extending in a generally horizontal orientation and the second bale forming chamber extending in a generally upright orientation.

[0013] A portion of the lower bale forming conveyor means may be located at the lower end of the second bale forming chamber. The lower bale forming conveyor means preferably also comprises bale forming roller means provided generally at the lower end of the second bale forming chamber and between the rear end of the third bale forming apron means and the lower end of the second upper bale forming apron means. These further bale forming roller means are operable, when a bale is contained in the second bale forming chamber, to support at least a portion of the weight thereof.

[0014] The first and second upper bale forming apron means are arranged to expand around a roll bale which is disposed in the second bale forming chamber while that the first upper bale forming apron means also is arranged to simultaneously expand around another bale being formed in the first bale forming chamber.

[0015] The first upper bale forming apron means have a first position where crop material is prevented from entering the second chamber, a second position where a roll of crop material of predetermined diameter may be transferred from the first chamber to the second chamber, and a third position where crop material is allowed to enter the second chamber while a roll of crop material of at least said predetermined diameter is maintained in the second chamber. Guide means are associated with the first upper bale forming apron means generally at the transition between the first and second bale forming chambers and are operable to hold the first bale forming apron means in respectively said first, second and third positions.

[0016] Finally, the invention also provides an improved method of forming roll bales in a continuous roll baling machine of the type as described, and as identified with the method claim appended hereto.

[0017] A continuous roll baling machine embodying the present invention will now be described in greater detail by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a somewhat schematic side elevation view of a roll baling machine according to the present invention at the initiation of the baling operation;

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 when a bale of predetermined size has been formed in the front chamber;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 1 when the bale is ready to be transferred from the front chamber to the rear chamber;

Fig. 4 is a view similar to Fig. 1 immediately after the bale has been transferred from the front chamber to the rear chamber;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 1 during completion of the bale in the rear chamber;

Fig. 6 is a view similar to Fig. 1 when the bale has been completed in the rear chamber and another bale is being started in the front chamber;

Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. 1 when the completed bale in the rear chamber is being wrapped with twine as the bale in the front chamber is being formed; and

Fig. 8 is a view similarto Fig. 1 during discharge of the completed bale from the rear chamber.

[0018] In the following description and claims, right, left, front and rear references are determined by standing at the rear of the machine and facing in the direction of forward travel, which is to the left as seen in Figure 1. Also, in the following description and claims, it is to be understood that such terms as "front", "rear", "right", "left", "upper", . "lower", "first" "second", "third", etc. are words of convenience and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

[0019] Referring generally to Fig. 1, a roll baling machine 10 according to the present invention includes a base frame 12 supported at its sides by wheels 14 and adapted for connection to a tractor (not shown) by a tongue 16. A pickup device 18 and a lower apron 20 are supported on the base frame 12. The lower apron 20 is preferably of the type disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,901,007, incorporated herein by reference. A rear frame 22 is pivotally connected at 24 to the base frame 12.

[0020] A first upper bale forming apron 26 is movably supported on guide members 28, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40, 42 carried on the opposite sides of the base frame 12 and on guide members 44,46,48 carried at the'opposite sides of the rear frame 22. The upper course 20a of the lower apron 20 cooperates with a course 26a of the first upper apron 26 extending between the guide members 28 and 40 to define an expandable front bale chamber 50.

[0021] A second upper bale forming apron 52 is movably supported on guide members 54, 56, 58, 60, 62 carried at the opposite sides of the rear frame 22. A course 52a of the second upper apron 52 extending between the guide members 54 and 62 cooperates with a course 26b of the first upper apron 26 extending between the guide members 40 and 48 to define an expandable rear bale chamber 64. The rear part of the lower apron 20 and a roller 65 are disposed at the bottom of the rear bale chamber 64. The first and second upper aprons 26 and 52 are preferably formed of a pair of endless link-type chains connected at spaced intervals by transverse bars or slats such as the upper apron disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,901,007. The guide members 42 are of the cam type also disclosed in this patent. Advantange- ously, the front and rear bale chambers 50, 64, when in the empty condition, are generally triangular in shape with the front bale chamber 50 being oriented generally horizontally and with the rear bale chamber 64 extending in a generally upright orientation.

[0022] A series of ramps 66 are carried on the base frame 12 and extend transversely between the opposite sides thereof. These ramps 66 are pivotally movable and are similar to those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,035,999, incorporated herein by reference, and designated therein by the numeral "282". The guide members 40 are carried by a pair of arms 68 which are pivotally movable on shafts 70 secured to the base frame 12. Hydraulic cylinders 72 control the pivotal movement of the arms 68, and slots 74 formed in the sides of the base frame 12 limit and guide the upward and downward movement of the guide members 40. An actuator mechanism 76 interconnects the arms 68 and the ramps 66. The guide members 34 and 36 are movable fore and aft in channels 78 and 80, respectively, mounted on the base frame 12. Idler mechanisms 82 control the movement of the guide members 34 in the channel 78. Springs 84 are connected to the guide members 36 by cables or chains 86 to urge the guide members 36 forward in the channels 80 to thus provide tension in the apron 26.

[0023] Hydraulic cylinders 88 are connected between the base frame 12 and the rear frame 22 for moving the rear frame 22 between the closed position shown in Fig. 1 and the open position shown in Fig. 8. The guide members 44, 46, 48, 54 and 60 are carried on an arm assembly 90 that is pivoted at 92 on the rear frame 22. Springs 94 are connected to lever portions 96 of the arm assembly 90 to urge the arm assembly 90 in a counterclockwise direction about the pivot 92 when viewed in Fig. 1. The guide members 56 and 58 are carried on another arm assembly 98 that is also pivoted at 92 on the rear frame 22. Springs 100 are connected to lever portions 102 of the arm assembly 98 to urge the arm assembly 98 in a clockwise direction about the pivot 92 when viewed in Fig. 1. Springs 94 are stronger than springs 100. A control linkage 104 is connected between the rear frame 22 and other lever portions 106 of the arm assembly 90 to hold the arm assembly 90 in a clockwise direction against the springs 94, when viewed in Fig. 1, during movement of the rear frame 22 to the open position of Fig. 8.

[0024] In operation and as the machine 10 is pulled across a field by a tractor, the pickup device 18 delivers crop material into the front bale chamber 50 where it is coiled by the cooperating movement of the lower apron 20 and the upper apron 26 (as indicated in Fig. 1) to start the core of a roll bale. During this stage of the operation, the guide members 40 are in their lowermost position in the slots 74 and the ramps 66 are pivoted upwardly to extend through and above the upper course 20a of the lower apron 20 so that the upper apron 26 and the ramps 66 together close the rear of the front bale chamber 50 and thereby effectively prevent material from entering the rear bale chamber 64. As the bale increases in diameter, as shown in Fig. 2, the guide members 36 move rearwardly in the channels 80 against the force of the springs 84. This allows the course 26a of the apron 26 that extends between the guide members 28 and 40 to expand around the bale.

[0025] When the bale reaches a predetermined diameter, the guide members 40 are moved upwardly in the slots 74, as shown in Fig. 3, by contracting the hydraulic cylinders 72 in order to pivot the arms 68 upwardly on the shafts 70. The guide members 36 are moved forwardly in the channels 80 by the springs 84 to take up the slack in the apron 26 resulting from the movement of the guide members 40 to their uppermost positions in the slots 74. The actuator mechanism 76 connecting the arms 68 and the ramps 66 causes downward pivoting movement of the ramps 66 simultaneously with the upward movement of the guide members 40. The ramps 66 are pivoted downwardly below the upper course 20a of the lower apron 20. These movements of the guide members 40 and the ramps 66 open up the rear of the front bale chamber 50 and the front of the rear bale chamber 64.

[0026] The bale is then transferred by the lower apron 20 into the rear bale chamber 64, as shown in Fig. 4, where it rests primarily on the roller 65. To assist the transfer of the bale, the apron 26 is either stopped or driven in reverse direction. Next, the guide members 40 are moved downwardly in the slots 74 to an intermediate position by extending the hydraulic cylinders 72 in order to pivot the arms 68 downwardly about the shafts 70. In this intermediate position of the guide members 40, the course 26a of the apron 26 that extends between the guide members 28 and 40 is supported slightly by the guide members 42. At the same time, the course 26b of the apron 26 that extends between the guide members 40 and 48 expands around a forward upper portion of the bale to maintain the bale in the rear bale chamber 64. The course 52a of the apron 52 that extends between the guide members 54 and 62 expands slightly around the rear of the bale. This expansion of the apron course 52a is permitted by forward pivoting movement of the arm assembly 98 on the pivot 92. The actuator mechanism 76 connecting the arms 68 and the ramps 66 causes some upward pivoting movement of the ramps 66 simultaneously with the downward movement of the guide members 40 to their intermediate positions. However, the ramps 66 are not pivoted upwardly far enough to extend above the upper course 20a of the lower apron 20. Therefore, the ramps 66 nor the apron 26 prevent or impede material from entering the rear bale chamber 64. Material is delivered through the front bale chamber 50 into the rear bale chamber 64 by the lower apron 20, as seen in Fig. 4, to complete the bale.

[0027] The bale increases in diameter, as shown in Fig. 5, thereby expanding the course 26b of the apron 26 that extends between the guide members 40 and 48, and also expanding the course 52a of the apron 52 that extends between the guide members 54 and 62. The guide members 36 move rearwardly in the channels 80 to permit the expansion of the apron course 26b. The arm assemblies 90 and 98 pivot rearwardly about pivot 92 during expansion of apron course 26b and expansion of apron course 52a.

[0028] When the bale reaches the desired diameter, the guide members 40 are moved downwardly in the slots 74, as shown in Fig. 6, by further extending the hydraulic cylinders 72 to pivot the arms 68 downwardly on the shafts 70. The idler mechanisms 82 allow the guide members 34 to move forwardly in the channels 78 to relax some of the tension in the apron 26. The guide members 40 move to their lowermost position in slots 74 and the actuator mechanism 76 connected between the arms 68 and ramps 66 simultaneously causes the ramps 66 to pivot upwardly above the upper course 20a of the lower apron 20. The apron 26 and the ramps 66 close the rear of the front bale chamber 50 and thus cut off the delivery of material to the rear bale chamber 64. The core of another roll bale is then started in the front bale chamber 50.

[0029] While the second bale increases in diameter in the front bale chamber 50, as shown in Fig. 7, the completed bale which is still disposed in the rear bale chamber 64 is wrapped with twine or other suitable material in a conventional manner. When the twine wrapping is completed, the hydraulic cylinders 88 are extended to move the rear frame 22 upwardly to the open position of Fig. 8. The idler mechanisms 82 move the guide members 34 rearwardly in the channels 78 to help take up some of the slack in the apron 26. The control linkage 104 acts against the springs 94 to maintain the arm assembly 90 in a position where it does not interfere with the upward opening movement of the rear frame 22. The completed bale is discharged from the machine 10 in the manner indicated in Fig. 8 while that the second bale continues to be formed in the front bale chamber 50. After discharging the completed bale, the hydraulic cylinders 88 are contracted to move the rear frame 22 downwardly to its closed position, and the parts of the machine 10 are once again located as shown in Fig. 2 so that the baling operation may continue without interruption.

[0030] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the movements of the various parts of the roll baling machine 10 would be controlled automatically by using conventional electronic equipment. However, they may also be controlled mechanically by an operator with the aid of visual indicators.

[0031] From what precedes, it will be seen that a continuous roll baling machine of the type with two bale chambers is provided wherein, when compared with the arrangement according to US. Patent No. 4,035,999, the bale transfer distance between the front and rear bale chambers has been reduced significantly, whereby a greatly improved baling operation is obtained.

[0032] The foregoing description illustrates preferred embodiments of the invention. Accordingly, the following claims are intended to protect the invention broadly, as well as in the specific forms shown herein.

Claims

1. A continuous roll baling machine comprising bale forming means (20, 65, 26, 52) defining spaced apart first and second bale forming chambers (50, 64);

said bale forming means (20, 65, 26, 52) including endless lower bale forming conveyor means (20, 65), a first endless upper bale forming apron means (26) and further endless upper bale forming conveyor means (52) separate from said lower conveyor means (20) and said apron means (26); said first apron means (26) cooperating with the lower bale forming conveyor means (20, 65) to generally delimit the first bale forming chamber (50) and

said bale forming means (20, 65, 36, 52) being operable to initially form a roll of crop material to a first diameter in the first chamber (50); to subsequently transfer said roll from the first chamber (50) to the second chamber (64) and to thereafter complete the formation of a roll bale in the second chamber (64) to a second diameter greater than the first diameter;

this roll baling machine being characterized in that:

the first endless upper bale forming apron means (26) has a course (26b) which generally faces the further upper bale forming conveyor means (52) and which cooperates therewith to substantially define the second bale forming chamber (64) therebetween.

2. A roll baling machine according to claim 1 characterized in that the further endless upper bale forming conveyor means (52) is in the form of a second endless upper bale forming apron means.

3. A roll baling machine according to claim 2 and further also comprising a base frame (12) and a movable frame (22) pivotally connected to the base frame (12) for movement between a closed, bale forming position and an open, bale discharge position, characterized in that:

the first and second apron means (26, 52) are expandable during bale formation and are movably supported at least in part on the base frame (12), respectively the movable frame (22).

4. A roll baling machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the first and second bale forming chambers (50, 64), when in the empty condition, are generally triangular in shape, with the first bale forming chamber (50) extending in a generally horizontal orientation and-the second bale forming chamber (64) extending in a generally upright orientation.

5. A roll baling machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lower bale forming conveyor means (20, 65) comprises third endless bale forming apron means (20) which extend generally horizontally and generally at the lower end of the first bale forming chamber (50).

6. A roll baling machine according to claim 5, characterized in that a portion of the third bale forming apron means (20) is located generally at the lower end of the second bale forming chamber (64).

7. A roll baling machine according to claim 6, characterized in that the lower bale forming conveyor means (20, 65) also comprises bale forming roller means (65) provided generally at the lower end of the second bale forming chamber (64) and between the rear end of the third bale forming apron means (20) and the lower end of the second upper bale forming apron means (52); said bale forming roller means (65) being operable, when a bale is contained in the second bale forming chamber (64), to support at least a portion of the weight thereof.

8. A roll baling machine according to any of the claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the first and second upper bale forming apron means (26, 52) are arranged to expand around a roll bale which is disposed in the second bale forming chamber (64).

9. A roll baling machine according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first upper bale forming apron means (26) are arranged to expand around a bale being formed in the first bale forming chamber (50) while simultaneously also extending in part around a completed bale in the second bale forming chamber (64).

10. A roll baling machine according to any of the preceding claims characterized in that the first upper bale forming apron means (26) has:

a first position where crop material is prevented from entering the second bale forming chamber (64);

a second position where a roll of crop material of predetermined diameter may be transferred from the first to the second bale forming chamber (50, 64); and

a third position where crop material is allowed to enter the second bale forming chamber (64) while a roll of crop material of at least said predetermined diameter is maintained therein.

11. A roll baling machine according to any of the claims 1 to 9 characterized in that guide means (40), associated with the first upper bale forming apron means (26), are provided generally at the transition between the first and second bale forming chambers (50, 64) and are positionable in three distinct positions; the arrangement being such that:

with the guide means (40) in a first position, the first upper bale forming apron means (26) are disposed, on the one hand, to prevent crop material from entering the second bale forming chamber (64) and, on the other hand, to cooperate with the lower bale forming conveyor means (20, 65) to form a roll of crop material in the first bale forming chamber (50);

with the guide means (40) in a second position, the first upper bale forming apron means (26) are spaced sufficiently apart from the lower bale forming conveyor means (20, 65) to allow the latter to transfer a roll of crop material of predetermined diameter, formed in the first bale forming chamber (50), from said first bale forming chamber (50) to the second bale forming chamber (64); and,

with the guide means (40) in a third position situated between the first and second positions, the first upper bale forming apron means (26), on the one hand, are spaced sufficiently apart from the lower bale forming conveyor means (20, 65) to allow material to enter the second bale forming chamber (64) and, on the other hand, are disposed in a manner to maintain a roll of crop material of at least said predetermined diameter in the second bale forming chamber (64).

12. A roll baling machine according to claim 11, characterized in that the guide means (40) positionable in said three distinct positions, cooperate with the first upper bale forming apron means (26) to define first and second courses (26a, 26b) thereof at opposite sides of said guide means (40); the first course (26a) being disposed to cooperate with the lower bale forming conveyor means (20, 65) to define the first bale forming chamber (50) and the second course (26b) being that course of the first bale forming apron means (26) which, in part, defines said second bale forming chamber (64).

13. A method of forming material rolls by a roll baling machine (10) having lower bale forming conveyor means (20, 65) and a first endless upper bale forming apron means (26) delimiting therebetween a first bale forming chamber (50) and further also having further endless upper bale forming conveyor means (52) in part defining a second bale forming chamber (64); the method comprising the steps of:

delivering material to be baled to the machine;

initiating formation of a roll of the material and forming the roll to a first diameter in the first chamber (50);

transferring the roll from the first chamber (50) to the second chamber (64) as the roll reaches the first diameter;

completing formation of the roll in the second chamber (64) to a second diameter greater than the first diameter;

wrapping of the completed roll in the second chamber (64);

discharging the completed and wrapped roll from the second chamber (64);

initiating formation of another roll in the first chamber (50) after completing formation of the preceding roll in the second chamber (64) and prior to discharging the preceding roll from the second chamber (64);

positioning, during the initiating steps, guide means (40) associated with the first upper bale forming apron means (26) in a first position for urging these first upper bale forming apron means (26) to extend closely adjacent the lower bale forming conveyor means (20) in a manner to isolate the first chamber (50) from the second chamber (64) for preventing material to enter the second chamber (64) and for holding said material in the first chamber (50) and forming it into a roll of the first diameter; and

positioning, prior to the transferring step, the guide means (40) in a second position for spacing the first upper bale forming apron means (26) at a distance from the lower bale forming conveyor means (20) corresponding to at least the first diameter, whereafter the transferring step may take place;

and being characterized in that it further also comprises the step of:

positioning, after the transferring step and during the completing step, the guide means (40) in a third position intermediate the first and second positions for locating the first upper bale forming apron means (26) relative to the lower bale forming conveyor means (20) and the further bale forming conveyor means (52) so that a course (26b) of said first apron means (26) generally faces said further conveyor means (52) to substantially define the second bale forming chamber (64) therebetween in a manner to permit said second chamber (64) to hold a roll of crop material of at least said first diameter on the one hand while allowing further crop material to enter said second chamber (64) on the other hand.

Ansprüche

1. Kontinuierlich arbeitende Rundballen-Formmaschine mit Rundballen-Formeinrichtungen (20, 65, 26, 52), die mit Abstand angeordnete erste und zweite Rundballen-Formkammern (50, 64) bilden, wobie die Rundballen-Formeinrichtungen (20, 65, 26, 52) untere endlose Rundballenform-Fördereinrichtungen (20, 65), eine erste obere endlose Rundballenform-Transportbandeinrichtung (26) und weitere obere Rundballenform-Fördereinrichtungen (52) einschließen, die von den unteren Fördereinrichtungen (20) und den Transportbandeinrichtungen (26) getrennt sind, wobei weiterhin die ersten Transportbandeinrichtungen (26) mit den unteren Rundballenform-Fördereinrichtungen (20, 65) zusammenwirken, um allgemein die erste Rundballenformkammer (50) zu bilden, und wobei die Rundballen-Formeinrichtungen (20, 65, 26, 52) derart betätigbar sind, daß sie zu Anfang einen Ballen des Erntematerials bis zu einem ersten Durchmesser in der ersten Kammer (50) bilden, nachfolgend diese Rundballen von der ersten Kammer (50) zur zweiten Kammer (64) überführen und danach die Bildung des Rundballens in der zweiten Kammer (64) bis zu einem zweiten Durchmesser vervollständigen, der größer als der erste Durchmesser ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die ersten oberen endlosen Rundballenform-Transportbandeinrichtungen (26) einen Bahnabschnitt (26b) aufweisen, der allgemein auf die weiteren oberen Rundballenform-Fördereinrichtungen (52) gerichtet ist und der mit diesem zusammenwirkt, um die zweite Rundballenformkammer (64) im wesentlichen hierzwischen zu umgrenzen.

2. Rundballen-Formmaschine nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die weiteren oberen endlosen Rundballenform-Fördereinrichtungen (52) die Form einer zweiten endlosen oberen Rundballenform-Transportbandeinrichtung aufweisen.

3. Rundballen-Formmaschine nach Anspruch 2, die weiterhin einen Hauptrahmen (12) und einen beweglichen Rahmen (22) aufweist, der schwenkbar mit dem Hauptrahmen (12) für eine Bewegung zwischen einer geschlossenen Rundballenformposition und einer offenen Rundballenauswurfposition verschwenkbar ist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die ersten und zweiten Transportbandeinrichtungen (26, 52) während der Rundballenformung ausweitbar sind und beweglich zumindestens teilweise an dem Hauptrahmen (12) bzw. dem beweglichen Rahmen (22) gehaltert sind.

4. Rundballen-Formmaschine nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die ersten und zweiten Rundballen-Formkammer (50, 64) im leeren Zustand eine allgemein dreieckige Form aufweisen, wobei sich die erste Rundballen-Formkammer (50) in einer allgemein horizontalen Ausrichtung und die zweite Rundballen-Formkammer (64) in einer allgemein aufrecht stehenden Richtung erstreckt.

5. Rundballen-Formmaschine nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die unteren Rundballenform-Fördereinrichtungen (20, 65) dritte endlose Rundballenform-Transportbandeinrichtungen (20) umfassen, die sich allgemein horizontal und allgemein am unteren Ende der ersten Rundballen-Formkammer (50) erstrecken.

6. Rundballen-Formmaschine nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß ein Teil der dritten Rundballenform-Transportbandeinrichtungen (20) allgemein am unteren Ende der zweiten Rundballen-Formkammer (64) gelegen ist.

7. Rundballen-Formmaschine nach Anspruch 6, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die unteren Rundballenform-Fördereinrichtungen (20, 65) weiterhin Rundballenform-Rolleneinrichtungen (65) umfassen, die allgemein am unteren Ende der zweiten Rundballen-Formkammer (64) und zwischen dem hinteren Ende der dritten Rundballenform-Transportbandeinrichtungen (20) und dem unteren Ende der zweiten oberen Rundballenform-Transportbandeinrichtungen (52) vorgesehen sind, und daß Rundballenform-Rolleneinrichtungen (65) bei einem in der zweiten Rundballen-Formkammer (64) enthaltenen Rundballen so betätigbar sind, daß sie zumindestens einen Teil des Gewichtes dieses Rundballens tragen.

8. Rundballen-Formmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 2 bis 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die ersten und zweiten oberen Rundballenform-Transportbandeinrichtungen (26, 52) so ausgebildet sind, daß sie sich um einen Rundballen herum aufweiten, der in der zweiten Rundballen-Formkammer (64) angeordnet ist.

_. 9. Rundballen-Formmaschine nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die ersten oberen Rundballenform-Transportbandeinrichtungen (26) so ausgebildet sind, daß sie sich um einen Rundballen herum ausweiten, der in der ersten Rundballen-Formkammer (50) gebildet ist, während sie sich gleichzeitig außerdem teilweise um einen vervollständigten Rundballen in der zweiten Rundballen- Formkammer (64) aufweiten.

10. Rundballen-Formmaschine nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die ersten oberen Rundballenform-Transportbandeinrichtungen (26) eine erste Position, in der das Erntematerial an einem Eintritt in die zweite Rundballen-Formkammer (64) gehindert ist, eine zweite Position, in der ein Rundballen aus Erntematerial mit vorgegebenen Durchmesser von der ersten zur zweiten Rundballen- Formkammer (50, 64) überführt werden kann, und eine dritte Position aufweisen, in der Erntematerial in die zweite Rundballen-Formkammer (64) eintreten kann, während ein Rundballen aus Erntematerial mit zumindestens dem vorgegebenen Durchmesser hierin enthalten ist.

11. Rundballen-Formmaschine nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß den ersten oberen Rundballenform-Transportbandeinrichtungen (26) zugeordnete Führungseinrichtungen (40) allgemein am Übergang zwischen den ersten und zweiten Rundballen-Formkammern (50, 64) angeordnet und auf drei unterschiedliche Positionen einstellbar sind, wobei die Anordnung derart ist, daß:

wenn die Führungseinrichtungen (40) sich in einer ersten Position befinden, die ersten oberen Rundballenform-Transportbandeinrichtungen (26) so angeordnet sind, daß sie einerseits den Eintritt von Erntematerial in die zweite Rundballen-Formkammer (64) verhindern und andererseits mit den unteren Rundballenform-Fördereinrichtungen (20, 65) zusammenwirken, um einen Rundballen aus dem Enrtematerial in der ersten Rundballen-Formkammer (50) zu bilden,

wenn die Führungseinrichtungen (40) sich in einer zweiten Position befinden, die ersten oberen Rundballenform-Transportbandeinrichtun- ^gen (26) in einem ausreichenden Abstand von den unteren Rundballenform-Fördereinrichtungen (20, 65) angeordnet sind, damit die letzteren einen Rundballen aus Erntematerial mit vorgegebenem Durchmesser, der in der ersten Rundballen-Formkammer (50) gebildet wurde, von dieser ersten Rundballen-Formkammer (50) in die zweite Rundballen-Formkammer (64) überführen können, und

wenn die Führungseinrichtungen (40) sich in einer dritten Position zwischen den ersten und zweiten Positionen befinden, die ersten oberen Rundballenform-Transportbandeinrichtungen (26) einerseits einen ausreichenden Abstand von der unteren Rundballenform-Fördereinrichtungen (20, 65) aufweisen, damit Material in die zweite Rundballen-Formkammer (64) eintreten kann, und andererseits derart angeordnet sind, daß ein Rundballen aus Erntematerial mit zumindestens dem vorgegebenen Durchmesser in der -zweiten Rundballen-Formkammer (64) gehalten wird.

12. Rundballen-Formmaschine nach Anspruch 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß die Führungseinrichtungen (40), die auf drei unterschiedliche Positionen einstellbar sind, mit den ersten oberen Rundballenform-Transportbandeinrichtungen (26) zusammenwirken, um erste und zweite Bahnabschnitte (26a, 26b) hiervon auf gegenüberliegenden Seiten der Führungseinrichtungen (40) zu bilden, daß der erste Bahnabschnitt (26) so angeordnet ist, daß er mit den unteren Rundballenform-Fördereinrichtungen (20, 65) zusammenwirkt, um die erste Rundballen-Formkammer (50) zu umgrenzen, und daß die zweite Bahnabschnitt (26b) derjenige Bahnabschnitt der ersten Rundballenform-Transportbandeinrichtungen (26) ist, der teilweise die zweite Rundballen- Formkammer (64) umgrenzt.

13. Verfahren zum Bilden von Materialballen mit einer Rundballen-Formmaschine (10), die untere Rundballenform-Fördereinrichtungen (20, 65) und eine erste endlose obere Rundballenform-Transportbandeinrichtung (26), zwischen denen eine erste Rundballen-Formkammer (50) gebildet ist, sowie weiterhin weitere endlose obere Rundballenform-Fördeinrichtungen (52) aufweist, die teilweise eine zweite Rundballen- Formkammer (64) umgrenzen, wobei das Verfahren folgendende Schritte umfaßt:

Zuführen des zu einem Rundballen zu formenden Materials zur Maschine;

Einleiten der Bildung eines Rundballens des Materials und Ausbilden des Rundballens bis zu einem ersten Durchmesser in der ersten Kammer;

Übertragen des Rundballens von der ersten Kammer (50) zur zweiten Kammer (64), wenn der Rundballen den ersten Durchmesser erreicht;

Vervollständigung der Bildung des Rundballens in der zweiten Kammer bis zu einem zweiten Durchmesser, der größer als der erste Durchmesser ist; Umwickeln des vervollständigten Rundballens in der zweiten Kammer (64);

Auswerfen des vervollständigten und umwikkelten Rundballens aus der zweiten Kammer (64);

Einleiten der Bildung eines weiteren Rundballens in der ersten Kammer (50) nach der Vervollständigung der Bildung des vorhergehenden Rundballens in der zweiten Kammer (64) und vor dem Auswerfen des vorhergehenden Rundballens aus der zweiten Kammer (64);

Einstellen von der ersten oberen Rundballenform-Transportbandeinrichtung (26) zugeordneten Führungseinrichtungen (40) während des Einleitens der Bildung eines weiteren Rundballens auf eine erste Position, um diese erste obere Rundballenform-Transportbandeinrichtung (26) einer Zwangskraft auszusetzen, sodaß sie sich eng benachbart zu den unteren Rundballenform- . Fördereinrichtungen (20) derart erstreckt, daß die erste Kammer (50) von der zweite Kammer (64) getrennt wird, um zu verhindern, daß Material in die zweiten Kammer (64) eintritt, und um das Material in der ersten Kammer (50) zu halten und es zu einem Rundballen mit dem ersten Durchmesser zu formen, und

Einstellen der Führungseinrichtungen (40) vor dem Schritt der Überführung des Rundballens auf eine zweite Position, um die ersten oberen Rundballenform-Transportbandeinrichtungen (26) auf einen Abstand von der unteren Rundballenform-Fördereinrichtungen (20) zu bringen, der zumindestens dem ersten Durchmesser entspricht, worauf der Überführungsschritt erfolgen kann; dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß das Verfahren weiterhin den Schritt der Einstellung der Führungseinrichtungen (40) nach dem Überführungsschritt und während des Vervollstänndigungschrittes auf eine dritte Position umfasst, die zwischen den ersten und zweiten Positionen liegt, um die Lage der ersten oberen Rundballenform-Transportbandeinrichtung (26) bezüglich der unteren Rundballenform-Fördereinrichtungen (20) und den weiteren Rundballenform-Fördereinrichtungen (52) derart einzustellen, daß ein Bahnabschnitt (26b) der ersten Transportbandeinrichtungen (26) allgemein auf die weiteren Fördereinrichtung (52) gerichtet ist, um im wesentlichen die zweite Rundballen-Formkammer (64) hierzwischen in einer derartigen Weise zu bilden, daß die zweite Kammer (64) einerseits einen Rundballen aus Erntematerial mit zumindestens dem ersten Durchmesser enthalten, kann während andererseits weiteres Erntematerial in die zweite Kammer (64) eintreten kann.

Revendications

1. Machine de ramassage-pressage de rouleaux de fourrage en continu comportant des moyens de pressage de balles (20, 65, 26, 52) qui définissent des première et seconde chambres de pressage de balles (50, 64), espacées l'une de l'autre;

lesdits moyens de pressage de balles (20, 65, 26, 52) comprenant des moyens transporteurs de pressage de balles inférieurs, sans fin (20, 65), un premier moyen formant tapis de pressage de balles supérieur, sans fin (26) et un autre moyen transporteur de pressage de balles supérieur, sans fin (52), séparé desdits moyens transporteurs inférieurs (20) et dudit moyen formant tapis (26); ledit premier moyen formant tapis (26) coopérant avec les moyens transporteurs de pressage de balles inférieurs (20, 65) pour, d'une manière générale délimiter la première chambre de pressage de balles (50) et

lesdits moyens de pressage de balles (20, 65, 26, 52) étant aptes à opérer pour, tout d'abord, presser dans la première chambre (50) un rouleau de produits de récolte suivant un premier diamètre; pour, ensuite, transférer ledit rouleau de la première chambre (50) à la seconde chambre (64) et puis pour, dans la seconde chambre (64), terminer le pressage d'une balle roulée suivant un second diamètre, supérieur au premier diamètre;

cette machine de ramassage-pressage de rouleaux de fourrage étant caractérisée en ce que:

le premier moyen formant tapis de pressage de balles supérieur, sans fin (26) possède une course (26b) qui, d'un manière générale, fait face à l'autre moyen transporteur de pressage de balles supérieur (52) et coopère avec celui-ci, pour que le seconde chambre de pressage de balles (64) soit sensiblement définie entre eux.

2. Machine de ramassage-pressage de rouleaux de fourrage selon la revendication 1, caractérisée en ce que l'autre moyen transporteur de pressage de balles supérieur, sans fin (52) se présente sous la forme d'un second moyen formant tapis de pressage de balles supérieur, sans fin.

3. Machine de ramassage-pressage de rouleaux de fourrage selon la revendication 2 et comportant, en outre, un châssis de base (12) et un châssis mobile (22) relié à pivotement au châssis de base (12) pour se déplacer entre une position fermée de pressage de balles et une position ouverte d'évacuation de balles, caractérisée en ce que:

les premier et second moyens formant tapis (26, 52) sont extensibles pendant un pressage de balles et respectivement supportés, au moins en partie, d'une manière mobile sur le châssis de base (12) et sur le châssis mobile (22).

4. Machine de ramassage-pressage de rouleaux de fourrage selon la revendication 3, caractérisée en ce que les première et seconde chambres de pressage de balles (50, 64) ont, lorsqu'elles sont à l'état vide, une forme dans l'ensemble triangulaire, la première chambre de pressage de balles (50) s'étendant dans une direction d'une manière générale horizontale, tandis que la seconde chambre de pressage de balles (64) s'étend dans une direction d'une manière générale verticale.

5. Machine de ramassage-pressage de rouleaux de fourrage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que les moyens transporteurs de pressage de balles inférieurs (20, 65) comportent un troisième moyen formant tapis de pressage de balles, sans fin (20) qui s'étend dans l'ensemble horizontalement et, d'une manière générale, au niveau de l'extrémité inférieure de la première chambre de pressage de balles (50).

6. Machine de ramassage-pressage de rouleaux de fourrage selon la revendication 5, caractérisée en ce qu'une partie du troisième moyen formant tapis de pressage de balles (20) est située, d'une manière générale, au niveau de l'extrémité inférieure de la seconde chambre de pressage de balles (64).

7. Maschine de ramassage-pressage de rouleaux de fourrange selon la revendication 6, caractérisée en ce que les moyens transporteurs de pressage de balles inférieurs (20, 65) comportent également un moyen formant rouleau de pressage de balles (65) prévu, dans l'ensemble, au niveau de l'extrémité inférieure de la seconde chambre de pressage de balles (64) et entre l'extrémité arrière du troisième moyen formant tapis de pressage de balles (20) et l'extrémité inférieure du second moyen formant tapis de pressage de balles supérieur (52); ledit moyen formant rouleau de pressage de balles (65) étant apte à opérer pour, lorsqu'une balle est contenue dans la seconde chambre de pressage de balles (64), supporter au moins une partie du poids de celle-ci.

8. Machine de ramassage-pressage de rouleaux de fourrage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 2 à 7, caractérisée en ce que les premier et second moyens formant tapis de pressage de balles supérieurs (26, 52) sont agencés pour envelopper en s'étirant une balle roulée, disposée dans la seconde chambre de pressage de balles (64).

9. Machine de ramassage-pressage de rouleaux de fourrage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que le prémier moyen formant tapis de pressage de balles supérieur (26) est agencé pour envelopper en s'étirant une balle en cours de pressage dans la première chambre de pressage de balles (50), tout en enveloppant également partiellement en s'étirant une balle terminée présente dans la seconde chambre de pressage de balles (64).

10. Machine de ramassage-pressage de rouleaux de fourrage selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisée en ce que le premier moyen formant tapis de pressage de balles supérieur (26) présente:

une première position dans laquelle des produits de récolte ne peuvent pas pénétrer dans la seconde chambre de pressage de balles (64);

une seconde position dans laquelle un rouleau de produits de récolte ayant un diamètre prédéterminé peut être transféré de la première (50) à la seconde (64) chambre de pressage de balles; et

une troisième position dans laquelle des produits de récolte peuvent pénétrer dans la seconde chambre de pressage de balles (64) pendant qu'un rouleau de produits de récolte ayant au moins ledit diamètre prédéterminé est retenu dans celle-ci.

11. Maschine de ramassage-pressage de rouleaux de fourrage selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9, caractérisée en ce que des moyens de guidage (40), associés au premier moyen formant tapis de pressage de balles supérieur (26), sont prévus, d'une manière générale, au niveau de la transition entre les première et seconde chambres de pressage de balles (50, 64) et sont aptes à être placés dans trois positions distinctes; l'agencement étant tel que:

lorsque les moyens de guidage (40) sont dans une première position, le premier moyen formant tapis de pressage de balles supérieur (26) est disposé, d'une part, de manière à empêcher des produits de récolte de pénétrer dans la seconde chambre de pressage de balles (64) et, d'autre part, de manière à coopérer avec les moyens transporteurs de pressage de balles inférieurs (20, 65) pour presser un rouleau de produits de récolte dans la première chambre de pressage de balles (50);

lorsque les moyens de guidage (40) sont dans une seconde position, le premier moyen formant tapis de pressage de balles supérieur (26) est suffisamment espacé des moyens transporteurs de pressage de balles inférieurs (20, 65), pour que ces derniers puissent transférer un rouleau de produits de récolte d'un diamètre prédéterminé, pressé dans la première chambre de pressage de balles (50), de ladite première chambre de pressage de balles (50) à la seconde chambre de pressage de balles (64); et,

lorsque les moyens de guidage (40) sont dans une troisième position située entre les première et seconde positions, le premier moyen formant tapis de pressage de balles supérieur (26) est, d'une part, suffisamment espacé des moyens transporteurs de pressage de balles inférieurs (20, 65) pour que des produits puissent pénétrer dans la seconde chambre de pressage de balles (64) et, d'autre part, disposé d'une manière propre à retenir un rouleau de produits de récolte ayant au moins ledit diamètre prédéterminé, dans la seconde chambre de pressage de balles (64).

12. Machine de ramassage-pressage de rouleaux de fourrage selon la revendication 11, caractérisée en ce que les moyens de guidage (40) aptes à être placés dans lesdites trois positions distinctes, coopèrent avec le premier moyen formant tapis de pressage de balles supérieur (26) pour définir des première et seconde courses (26a, 26b) de celui-ci, an niveau de côtés opposés desdits moyens de guidage (40); la première course (26a) étant disposée pour coopérer avec les moyens transporteurs de pressage de balles inférieurs (20, 65), afin de définir la première chambre de pressage de balles (50), et la seconde course (26b) constituant la course du premier moyen formant tapis de pressage de balles (26) qui définit, en partie, ladite seconde chambre de pressage de balles (64).

13. Méthode de pressage de rouleaux de produits de récolte à l'aide d'une machine de ramassage-pressage de rouleaux de fourrage (10) comportant des moyens transporteurs de pressage de balles inférieurs (20, 65) et un premier moyen formant tapis de pressage de balles supérieur, sans fin (26) qui délimitent entre eux une première chambre de pressage de balles (50), et comportant également un autre moyen transporteur de pressage de balles supérieur, sans fin (52) qui définit en partie une seconde chambre de pressage de balles (64); la méthode comportant les étapes qui consistent à:

délivrer à la machine des produits destinés à être pressés sous la forme de balles;

commencer à presser un rouleau des produits et presser le rouleau suivant un premier diamètre, dans la première chambre de pressage de balles (50);

transférer le rouleau de la première chambre (50) à la seconde chambre (64), au moment où le rouleau atteint le premier diamètre;

achever de presser le rouleau dans la seconde chambre de pressage (64) suivant un second diamètre supérieur au premier diamètre;

'ficeler le rouleau terminé dans la seconde chambre (64);

évacuer le rouleau terminé et ficelé, hors de la seconde chambre (64);

commencer à former un autre rouleau dans la première chambre (50), une fois achevé le pressage du rouleau précédent dans la seconde chambre (64) et avant d'évacuer le rouleau précédent hors de la seconde chambre (64);

placer, pendant les étapes de démarrage, des moyens de guidage (40) associés au premier moyen formant tapis de pressage de balles supérieur (26), dans une première position destinée à obliger ce premir moyen formant tapis de pressage de balles supérieur (26) à s'étendre tout près du moyen transporteur de pressage de balles inférieur (20), de façon à isoler la première chambre (50) de la seconde chambre (64) en vue d'empêcher des produits de pénétrer dans la seconde chambre (64) et de maintenir lesdits produits dans la première chambre (50), tout en les pressant, sous la forme d'un rouleau ayant le premier diamètre; et

placer, avant l'étape de transfert, les moyens de guidage (40) dans une seconde position destinée à espacer le premier moyen formant tapis de pressage de balles supérieur (26) par rapport au moyen transporteur de pressage de balles inférieur (20), d'une distance correspondant au moins au premier diamètre, après quoi l'étape de transfert peut avoir lieu;

et étant caractérisée en ce qu'elle comporte également l'étapé qui consiste à:

placer, après l'étape de transfert et pendant l'étape d'achèvement, les moyens de guidage (40) dans une troisième position intermédiaire des première et seconde positions et destinée à positionner le premier moyen formant tapis de pressage de balles supérieur (26) par rapport au moyen transporteur de pressage de balles inférieur (20) et à l'autre moyen transporteur de pressage de balles (52), de telle façon qu'une course (26a) dudit premier moyen formant tapis (26) fait d'une manière générale face audit moyen transporteur (52), pour, avec lui, définir sensiblement la seconde chambre de pressage de balles (64), afin de faire en sorte que, d'une part, la seconde chambre (64) puisse retenir un rouleau de produits de récolte ayant au moins ledit premier diamètre, et que d'autre part, d'autres produits de récolte puissent pénétrer dans ladite seconde chambre (64).

Drawing